Pokémon Go Release Date, Rumors and News: Niantic To Start Australia And New Zealand Field Testing

After Japan, Niantic is expanding Pokémon Go field tests to Australia and New Zealand.

"The Pokémon Company and Niantic invite users to field test Pokémon GO in Australia and New Zealand," Niantic wrote on its blog while directing users to signup. Testers in the two countries will be allowed to provide feedback on gameplay but will be restrained from publicly sharing details of the tests.

According to Gamespot, players should have Android or iOS devices to be able to play the game. Signup however does not guarantee eligibility. Players will be selected randomly but real world gaming experience will count. It is not known if Ingress experience matters. Players can provide details of their Ingress accounts in the form.

Pokémon Go is an augmented reality mobile game that is eagerly anticipated by fans across the world.

News of Niantic testing in the two countries set off flurry of fan discussions. Some wondered why Niantic choose Australia and New Zealand pointing out the small number of Ingress portals.

"This will be a perfect place to test the whole "catch a Pokemon within 5 minutes" as well as what life will be like when Pokestops aren't nearly as common," one Reddit user wrote.

Niantic revealed some information last month, getting fans excited. "Players will walk to hatch previously-acquired eggs that might reveal new Pokémon. Eggs and other special items such as Poké Balls can be acquired at PokéStops - located at interesting places such as public art installations, historical markers, museums and monuments," Niantic wrote.

The release date has yet to be confirmed and is happening later this year.